A handful on the pitch, New York’s Cahill classy to the end

Tim Cahill was the Red Bulls’ most impressive player in the Eastern Conference semifinals, constantly tormenting the Dynamo with his power in the air and skill.

At one time or another, he sent every Dynamo defender to the ground after a tough challenge. He then would pick them up or let them pick him up when they knocked him down.

Eric Brunner absorbed most of Cahill’s punishment in the series, but he and the Dynamo shut down the former English Premier League star.

After the final whistle, Cahill exchanged jerseys with Brunner and walked off the Red Bull Arena pitch wearing Brunner’s jersey inside-out.

“They’re definitely a team that can grind out a result,” Cahill said of the Dynamo. “But even over two legs I still feel that we did enough to probably be the better team and it’s a gift for them and they should enjoy it and hopefully they go on and win it.”